May 20, 2020 COVID-19 Update
Published on May 20, 2020
Thank you Alameda, for your ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, save lives, and keep Alameda safe and healthy. As of this afternoon, the City of Alameda has 42 cases of COVID-19, Alameda County has 2,560 cases and 88 deaths, the State of California has 84,057 cases and 3,436 deaths, the United States has 1,551,853 cases and 93,439 deaths, and across the world, there are a staggering 4,996,472 cases and 328,115 deaths. These numbers continue to grow, and we must continue to be vigilant about wearing face coverings and using physical distance to protect the health of our community.
Updated Alameda County Health Order
California has a 4 stage roadmap for modifying the current stay at home order, but as each of California’s 58 counties have different case rates, each county is empowered to go through the stages at their own pace. The Bay Area, including Alameda County, is moving more slowly than the State as a whole. On Monday, May 18, Alameda County issued two new health orders that move us into the State’s early stage 2.
The first health order continues directing individuals to shelter in their place of residence, except for identified needs and activities. The health order broadens the additional businesses now able to operate with certain requirements and includes:
- Retail stores for curbside or storefront pickup and/or delivery only
- Manufacturing businesses
- Logistics and warehousing
The second health order allows highly regulated vehicle-based gatherings, where participants remain in their car and adhere to certain requirements.
Needs and activities that remain allowed from previous health orders include:
- Protecting the health and safety of yourself or your household
- Obtaining necessary services or supplies for yourself or household members
- Outdoor recreation, with certain requirements (including face coverings and physical distance)
- Performing work for or accessing an essential business, outdoor business, or additional business
- Caring for a family member in another household who has no other source of care
- Attending a funeral with no more than 10 people
- Moving residences, with certain requirements
- Construction projects that follow proper protocols
- Real estate transactions, with restrictions
- Childcare, camps, and educational/rec programs that provide care for children
- Outdoor businesses such as nurseries, landscaping, and agriculture
What remains not allowed for now include:
- All gatherings of any number of people outside a single household
- All travel that is not considered essential
- Dine-in restaurants
- Personal care services, including hair and nail salons
- Gyms, theaters, and church congregations
People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are strongly urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible, except as necessary to receive medical care or essential governmental functions.
Slow Streets, Commercial Streets
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical need for distancing, the City Council approved a multi-phased plan to provide additional space on our streets. The program includes Slow Streets Alameda in residential areas and Commercial Streets Alameda on Park Street and Webster Street.
Last month, Slow Streets Alameda temporarily reconfigured Pacific (between Grand & Oak) and Versailles (between Fernside & Central) to discourage through traffic and provide more space for residents to walk, run, bike, scooter, and roll at a safe distance from one another.
On May 19, the City Council approved expanding the program, and by this Tuesday, May 26, you will also find Slow Streets on Pacific (from Grand to 9th) and Santa Clara (from 6th to Pacific).
We urge you to take a quick survey and share your thoughts!
Commercial Streets Alameda will temporarily reduce a section of the existing four travel lanes on Park Street and Webster Street to two lanes. The two inside lanes would be used for automobile traffic, and the two outer lanes would be repurposed for parking, pick-up/loading zones, and bus turnouts. The existing curbside parking lane and sidewalks would be used to expand space for pedestrians and commercial business operations, such as waiting areas and outdoor seating. The City is also exploring temporarily closing select side streets.
Great Plates Delivered
On April 24, 2020, the Governor announced the launch of “Great Plates Delivered,” a meal delivery service for California’s older adults. Great Plates Delivered will help our seniors and those at high risk of illness to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day, and help our local restaurants who are providing these meals! Sign up to get meals here.
The County is in the process of developing this program and meals are not being delivered at this time. The County will contact interested persons, screen them for eligibility and keep them informed as to when they can expect their first meal.
Upcoming Events
Resources
For the most up-to-date information, please bookmark the following key resources:
Thank you again for your continued care and kindness toward others and patience as we work through these unprecedented challenges. As we enter into warmer weather this holiday weekend, please remember that we all need to do our part to prevent large spikes in hospitalizations and deaths. Stay home as much as possible, and be sure to wear a face covering and maintain distance when you are out.